7 replies to this topic

[Aexryu]

Heya, meet Dusk my long haired Syrian!

https://tinypic.host/i/photo-2022-08-18-00-23-01.uRsw0
 

I got him at a local pet store when he was about 5 weeks old and I love him very much. He is now about 11 weeks old and looking healthy from what I know. He loves broccoli, carrots and baby corn! He has an extremely adorable face, in my opinion, and he is named Dusk as he used to be awake most of the time during dusk!

 

About me, however, I am extremely inexperienced and unsure about how I can properly train/enrich and make him trust me more. I am willing to buy him more things, as well as expand his enclosure by the end of the year (Currently 80cm x 50cm x 50cm)!

 

May I ask a few questions? I'd love to make a list as well as jot them down in my notebook for future references; if that is alright with you!

 

-  What is your best advice for caring for a hamster? It can be anything at all!

 

- What are the best toys that you give their hamsters, as well as what do you think is a must-have for a hamster to be happy/thrive? Currently, I'm still shopping for more things for Dusk, though if it helps, I've attached his current cage's setup to show what I've got.

 

- Back a week or two ago, Dusk used to love exploring his cage, climbing all over my hand and staring at me through the cage to let him out. However, his sleep timing seems to have changed and he tends to leave his cage at about 11 pm now from the usual 8 pm-9 pm previously. Moreover, he seems to be sleeping most of the time now, or lazing about on a specific spot. I live in a hot and humid country which doesn't have seasons (it rains here during monsoon season but that's about it), so I don't think he is hibernating at all. Dusk is currently just sitting around and lazing about/dazing out/sleeping in shades more than normal, is that normal behaviour?

Here is what his cage looks like if it helps

https://tinypic.host/i/photo-2022-08-10-23-19-54.uRDFY
 

- Also, I thought I probably should mention this, as I was inexperienced, I picked him up quite early after he came back to my place. I realised this was a huge jump in the bonding phase. Should I redo the bonding phase, and how should I do it?  

 

 

Thank you for reading through this massively long introduction to Dusk, as well as my plead for help and advice. I hope we'd be able to be friends and do PM me to talk as well!

Edited by Aexryu, 18 August 2022 - 12:28 AM.

[dustyham]

 

Heya, meet Dusk my long haired Syrian!

https://tinypic.host/i/photo-2022-08-18-00-23-01.uRsw0
 

I got him at a local pet store when he was about 5 weeks old and I love him very much. He is now about 11 weeks old and looking healthy from what I know. He loves broccoli, carrots and baby corn! He has an extremely adorable face, in my opinion, and he is named Dusk as he used to be awake most of the time during dusk!

 

About me, however, I am extremely inexperienced and unsure about how I can properly train/enrich and make him trust me more. I am willing to buy him more things, as well as expand his enclosure by the end of the year (Currently 80cm x 50cm x 50cm)!

 

May I ask a few questions? I'd love to make a list as well as jot them down in my notebook for future references; if that is alright with you!

 

-  What is your best advice for caring for a hamster? It can be anything at all!

 

- What are the best toys that you give their hamsters, as well as what do you think is a must-have for a hamster to be happy/thrive? Currently, I'm still shopping for more things for Dusk, though if it helps, I've attached his current cage's setup to show what I've got.

 

- Back a week or two ago, Dusk used to love exploring his cage, climbing all over my hand and staring at me through the cage to let him out. However, his sleep timing seems to have changed and he tends to leave his cage at about 11 pm now from the usual 8 pm-9 pm previously. Moreover, he seems to be sleeping most of the time now, or lazing about on a specific spot. I live in a hot and humid country which doesn't have seasons (it rains here during monsoon season but that's about it), so I don't think he is hibernating at all. Dusk is currently just sitting around and lazing about/dazing out/sleeping in shades more than normal, is that normal behaviour?

Here is what his cage looks like if it helps

https://tinypic.host/i/photo-2022-08-10-23-19-54.uRDFY
 

- Also, I thought I probably should mention this, as I was inexperienced, I picked him up quite early after he came back to my place. I realised this was a huge jump in the bonding phase. Should I redo the bonding phase, and how should I do it?  

 

 

Thank you for reading through this massively long introduction to Dusk, as well as my plead for help and advice. I hope we'd be able to be friends and do PM me to talk as well!

Dusk is absolutely adorable! I love his sweet little face 

 

My biggest piece of advice (mostly focused around the taming process,) is just to be patient! Hamsters will all have their own personalities, and no two hamsters will act the same. Something I did when I first got Dustin (my hamster), was compare him to other hamsters! I was quite disappointed that he wasn’t cuddly, or always wanting to play. But I was patient, and let him slowly come out of his shell! Now he’s a very tame, and loving hamster, but he still needs his alone time of course.

Here’s some toys/enrichment my hamster loves!
- Tunnels (I usually use toilet paper rolls, as he’s so small)

- Willow balls (he loves to destroy them!)

- Dig boxes with different substrates

- Climbing toys (every hamster is different, but mine loves to climb! Just make sure they’re not too high up or dangerous)

- A variety of sprays!! He eats them so quickly and it’s so cute to watch him take out the seeds and forage 

 

My hamster must-haves include: sprays, forage mix, 3+ substrates (including a sand bath), very deep bedding, cork logs, and some other basic necessities 

 

I love your cage setup, and I’m sure Dusk does too! It looks so natural and enriching!

 

Sometimes hamsters randomly change their sleep schedule, and can even become ghost hamsters! This happened to me, and it’s totally normal. Hamsters don’t hibernate, so that’s definitely not your issue. It may be too hot for him, so I’d recommend adding some ceramic tiles or hideouts to help him keep cool! 

 

As long as he didn’t seem too spooked by your early advances in the taming process, it should be alright! I recommend offering treats/food from your hand, and working up to slowly picking him up. You can use a playpen, and sit in there with him to help get him used to you and your presence! 

 

Hope this helped!

 

- Dustyham   

[HamsterLover246]

Hi!
Your hamster is adorable 😍
I love the naturalistic setup in you enclosure!
If im answering Your question right, some hamster stuff i love is:
Cork logs
Grapevine wood (I'm not sure if I saw some in the picture)
I also love small hideouts and tunnels made out of ceramic. It doesn't get hot when it's hot outside, and is a new texture for them to walk on
These aren't necessary, but most hamsters love them

[Aexryu]

Dusk is absolutely adorable! I love his sweet little face 

 

My biggest piece of advice (mostly focused around the taming process,) is just to be patient! Hamsters will all have their own personalities, and no two hamsters will act the same. Something I did when I first got Dustin (my hamster), was compare him to other hamsters! I was quite disappointed that he wasn’t cuddly, or always wanting to play. But I was patient, and let him slowly come out of his shell! Now he’s a very tame, and loving hamster, but he still needs his alone time of course.

Here’s some toys/enrichment my hamster loves!
- Tunnels (I usually use toilet paper rolls, as he’s so small)

- Willow balls (he loves to destroy them!)

- Dig boxes with different substrates

- Climbing toys (every hamster is different, but mine loves to climb! Just make sure they’re not too high up or dangerous)

- A variety of sprays!! He eats them so quickly and it’s so cute to watch him take out the seeds and forage 

 

My hamster must-haves include: sprays, forage mix, 3+ substrates (including a sand bath), very deep bedding, cork logs, and some other basic necessities 

 

I love your cage setup, and I’m sure Dusk does too! It looks so natural and enriching!

 

Sometimes hamsters randomly change their sleep schedule, and can even become ghost hamsters! This happened to me, and it’s totally normal. Hamsters don’t hibernate, so that’s definitely not your issue. It may be too hot for him, so I’d recommend adding some ceramic tiles or hideouts to help him keep cool! 

 

As long as he didn’t seem too spooked by your early advances in the taming process, it should be alright! I recommend offering treats/food from your hand, and working up to slowly picking him up. You can use a playpen, and sit in there with him to help get him used to you and your presence! 

 

Hope this helped!

 

- Dustyham   

Thank you so much! I've just told Dusk about Dusty and his ears seems to have perked up when I did so!

That is such sound advice, you're extremely knowledgeable and after reading what you've typed, it has put my mind at ease somewhat! I've gotten so excited and thrilled to want to play with Dusk, that sometimes I forget that patience and understanding is the key to letting him get used to my presence and behaviour.

I've got a few toilet paper rolls, a digging area for his sand and stuff, as well as a variety of sprays! However, he seem to really only like eating his flax seed sprays xD I think I'd need to get more climbing toys and willow balls; which climbing toys would you recommend?

I'm going to get one more piece of wood, either bamboo shoots or grapevine for him to climb on as well as a cork log since I know a lot of hamsters and owners love it!

Thank you so much! I'm quite unsure of myself as he's my first pet and I am quite afraid of messing things up for him. I personally like a more naturalistic theme, so that was what I went for! What more can I add to enrich his enclosure?

Ah I see, I never knew! He seems to be lazing at a corner beside his hideout now. Is it normal for hamsters to just sleep and rest whilst I'm awake and do his things when I go to sleep? I've placed some hay in his wheel and when I got up, the hay is out of place so I know he's used it. I also have a few pebbles and a terracotta pot that's cool to the touch so I hope that's alright!

I hope I didn't he seem to be easier to handle now, I could carry him (he doesn't struggle but probably is still too early as he'd go limp) and patting him on my hand isn't a problem; he even ate whilst on my hand which he has never done before!! I will go get a play pen definitely!

Here's my list of things to get after your post:
Cork log
Another wood piece
Climbing toys (do recommend some!)
Playpen

Another question if that's alright with you! Do you spot clean your hamster's cage? I am still unsure how to do it as I don't see any wet/damp spots on Dusk's cage, though he smells a little odd..

Thank you so so much, Dustyham! 

Edited by Aexryu, 19 August 2022 - 01:25 AM.

[Aexryu]

Hi!
Your hamster is adorable
I love the naturalistic setup in you enclosure!
If im answering Your question right, some hamster stuff i love is:
Cork logs
Grapevine wood (I'm not sure if I saw some in the picture)
I also love small hideouts and tunnels made out of ceramic. It doesn't get hot when it's hot outside, and is a new texture for them to walk on
These aren't necessary, but most hamsters love them

Heya HamsterLover246, thank you for your reply!

Thank you so much, he makes me really happy with his adorable little face   
Thank you! That's great that you like my setup, I am quite afraid if it'd be up to standard haha
I am definitely going to get some cork logs and another grapevine or bamboo root!

What else would you recommend and do you spot clean your hamster's cage? I am still unsure how to do it as I don't see any wet/damp spots on Dusk's cage, though he smells a little odd..

Thank you for your help!! 

[dustyham]

Thank you so much! I've just told Dusk about Dusty and his ears seems to have perked up when I did so!

That is such sound advice, you're extremely knowledgeable and after reading what you've typed, it has put my mind at ease somewhat! I've gotten so excited and thrilled to want to play with Dusk, that sometimes I forget that patience and understanding is the key to letting him get used to my presence and behaviour.

I've got a few toilet paper rolls, a digging area for his sand and stuff, as well as a variety of sprays! However, he seem to really only like eating his flax seed sprays xD I think I'd need to get more climbing toys and willow balls; which climbing toys would you recommend?

I'm going to get one more piece of wood, either bamboo shoots or grapevine for him to climb on as well as a cork log since I know a lot of hamsters and owners love it!

Thank you so much! I'm quite unsure of myself as he's my first pet and I am quite afraid of messing things up for him. I personally like a more naturalistic theme, so that was what I went for! What more can I add to enrich his enclosure?

Ah I see, I never knew! He seems to be lazing at a corner beside his hideout now. Is it normal for hamsters to just sleep and rest whilst I'm awake and do his things when I go to sleep? I've placed some hay in his wheel and when I got up, the hay is out of place so I know he's used it. I also have a few pebbles and a terracotta pot that's cool to the touch so I hope that's alright!

I hope I didn't he seem to be easier to handle now, I could carry him (he doesn't struggle but probably is still too early as he'd go limp) and patting him on my hand isn't a problem; he even ate whilst on my hand which he has never done before!! I will go get a play pen definitely!

Here's my list of things to get after your post:
Cork log
Another wood piece
Climbing toys (do recommend some!)
Playpen

Another question if that's alright with you! Do you spot clean your hamster's cage? I am still unsure how to do it as I don't see any wet/damp spots on Dusk's cage, though he smells a little odd..

Thank you so so much, Dustyham! 

You are so, so kind! 

 

I usually DIY my climbing toys with cardboard and some non-toxic glue! I like doing this rather than purchasing toys, as it allows me to customize them, and make exactly what I want.

 

Here is a list of some enrichment ideas:

• different textures - this can be achieved through different substrates or toys!

• dried flowers & herbs - you can scatter hamster-safe herbs around the enclosure to allow your hamster to forage

• put fresh fruits and vegetables on a skewer - this provides a challenge for your hamster, as they must work out how to get them off

• snuffle/forage mats - these can be used during free-roam time. Hide treats inside and let your hamster find them!

Those behaviours are completely normal! Hamsters are nocturnal, so they will have the opposite sleep schedule of a human.   
 

I don’t usually spot-clean, as Dusty pees in his burrows. It’s possible that Dusk does the same, as it’s quite a common behaviour! What I do instead, is half cleans about every month. Usually these cleans consist of me removing all of the accessories, rummaging through the bedding to find soiled spots, removing any pee/poop I can find, and adding in some new bedding! I never take out all of the bedding, because this will stress out a hamster due to their scent no longer being there.   
 

Im glad to have helped 

[Aexryu]

You're the one that is extremely kind!! 

Do you have any photos of the toys that you've made? I'd love to get some inspiration if that's alright!! Either here for the messages would help so much.

Here are my replies to them:

• Would you suggest I use both paper-based bedding and aspen? I currently have sand, terracotta pots, wood, moss and paper-based bedding. I'm unsure if I am going to change it all to paper-based soon and ditch aspen. Though if you think it'd be best to have a mix, I will think about it!
  
  Using purely paper would probably be more ideal as I'd like to learn about Dusk's pee patterns for easier spot cleaning (still not sure if he pees in his hideout, outside or burrows yet)
   
• I have a botanical mix!! I like this a lot as it gives a slight smell to the cage and gives him an alternate source of food!
   
• Ohh I will try that!
   
• Just searched them up, how fascinating! I found a tutorial on how to craft one so I think I'll try to make it for fun xD
  
  Dusk seems to be hiding in his hideout more often, only coming out once the light is off or when he's hungry/thirsty. I'm a little worried if his hideout is too small too, he's about 10-12cm when stretched with 6cm height, but his hideout is only about 10cm x 8cm x 8cm (LxBxH), is this a problem? Should I buy a newer bigger hideout?
  
  Alright! I will do that instead then, bacteria won't grow that quickly correct? I am just afraid for his health and if bacteria grow in his cage. I always clean every month though! I remove everything in his cage, give it a vinegar-water mix wipe as well as sift out his pee and poo. I left at least 1/2 to 3/4 the last time I cleaned his cage, I felt that it was still relatively clean so there's no real point to changing everything from what I read.
  
  You've been nothing but a great help, thank you so much as always and I'm sorry for bombarding you with more questions!

[Kikya]

 

You're the one that is extremely kind!! 

Do you have any photos of the toys that you've made? I'd love to get some inspiration if that's alright!! Either here for the messages would help so much.

Here are my replies to them:

• Would you suggest I use both paper-based bedding and aspen? I currently have sand, terracotta pots, wood, moss and paper-based bedding. I'm unsure if I am going to change it all to paper-based soon and ditch aspen. Though if you think it'd be best to have a mix, I will think about it!
  
  Using purely paper would probably be more ideal as I'd like to learn about Dusk's pee patterns for easier spot cleaning (still not sure if he pees in his hideout, outside or burrows yet)
   
• I have a botanical mix!! I like this a lot as it gives a slight smell to the cage and gives him an alternate source of food!
   
• Ohh I will try that!
   
• Just searched them up, how fascinating! I found a tutorial on how to craft one so I think I'll try to make it for fun xD
  
  Dusk seems to be hiding in his hideout more often, only coming out once the light is off or when he's hungry/thirsty. I'm a little worried if his hideout is too small too, he's about 10-12cm when stretched with 6cm height, but his hideout is only about 10cm x 8cm x 8cm (LxBxH), is this a problem? Should I buy a newer bigger hideout?
  
  Alright! I will do that instead then, bacteria won't grow that quickly correct? I am just afraid for his health and if bacteria grow in his cage. I always clean every month though! I remove everything in his cage, give it a vinegar-water mix wipe as well as sift out his pee and poo. I left at least 1/2 to 3/4 the last time I cleaned his cage, I felt that it was still relatively clean so there's no real point to changing everything from what I read.
  
  You've been nothing but a great help, thank you so much as always and I'm sorry for bombarding you with more questions!

 

Hi Aexryu,

 

I just wanted you to know that the forum is closing down in a couple of days but if you still have questions, many members joined this forum http://hamsterclubhouse.com/forum/

 

In case, in case you have more questions. =)